Boosting the parking experience

Boosting the parking experience with big data

Big data enables smarter parking. This means a better user experience, reduced travel time, improved mobility and improved security inside parking facilities

Words | Adrià Miralvés, digital marketing manager, Quercus Technologies, Spain

At a time when data is everywhere, it is essential that parking management technologies unify and process information in a cohesive, orderly, and clear manner. There is power in data but generating it in an uncontrolled way does not make sense. Data must be interpreted by people and used accordingly, with the goal of obtaining the greatest growth and profit for the business, as well as enhancing the parking experience for users.

The interconnection between big data and smart devices leads to increased productivity and profit, as well as smooth access to information and less stress. By analysing of data generated by the global parking sector, it is possible to create a set of strategies focused on parking management. This is business intelligence. A parking software platform can provide full control of all indoor and outdoor parking guidance devices, centralizing information and generating key reports for the business.

All of this data can be compiled into reports for decision-making on parking management and business maximization. Planning for the future can be optimised. Customers can find out which days and hours usually have more traffic, as well as which facilities are more or less popular. Facility owners can manage rates, schedules and parking spaces. Usage statistics can also be obtained to understand user habits and propose campaigns to strengthen their loyalty.

of strategies focused on parking management. This is business intelligence. A parking software platform can provide full control of all indoor and outdoor parking guidance devices, centralizing information and generating key reports for the business.

All of this data can be compiled into reports for decision-making on parking in a downtown area, where there are often long queues. However, if you know that a particular parking facility is equipped with features to make parking a pleasant experience, it is a different story. There are several actions that a parking facility owner can take to raise the satisfaction of customers. For example, they can enhance the parking experience

Above: One indicator light can be allocated per space with Quercus Technology parking solutions. Infinitely variable colours can be used to guide drivers, for example green lights can indicate an available space Below: Quercus SC indoor camera - part of the parking guidance system

Optimising the parking experience

Parking areas should provide optimal convenience and simplicity for customers. As such, facility operators should be looking at how to enhance the parking experience. It can be a real challenge to manage the complexities and the stress of parking in a downtown area, where there are often long queues. However, if you know that a particular parking facility is equipped with features to make parking a pleasant experience, it is a different story. There are several actions that a parking facility owner can take to raise the satisfaction of customers. For example, they can enhance the parking experience by allowing users to reserve their parking space online, which means it takes minimal time to leave their car in the facility. It is also possible to install signage to guide drivers to available spaces in a user-friendly, dynamic way, or provide kiosks to help them find their vehicle quickly. Another way to add to the parking experience is to prevent heavy traffic both inside and outside the facility.

Quercus Technologies’ range of comprehensive parking solutions empower parking facility operators to manage and process parking space reservations through their websites. Properly configured, the software can even stream parking capacity and availability in real time. In this way, a specific license plate number can be linked to a reserved stay, a certain price, or a special discount rate.

If the user has reserved a stay, access will be automatically granted via license plate recognition by the LPR camera at the entrance. Inside the facility, camera-based parking sensors provide parking space guidance. Alarms can be set to go off if a vehicle with a different license plate number parks in a reserved space.

For users without a reservation, touchless, barrier-free access is made possible by Quercus Technologies’ SmartLPR Access vehicle license plate recognition unit, installed in the access lanes. SmartLPR Access reads the number, and then either prints out a ticket with the license plate number on it, or in the case of a ticketless solution, saves the license plate number in the parking facility system. This is then later retrieved for payment, with no need for paper.

Inside the parking facility, digital parking signs show the availability of spaces in rows and can also provide directions, to optimize the user experience and expedite parking times. These matrix information displays are completely customizable with fixed or dynamic messages, providing instructions for drivers with information that is relevant to them. These signs can also indicate parking space availability in outdoor areas, thanks to the SC Outdoor video-based parking guidance system. This solution saves users from entering these areas if it is not possible to park in them.

The parking sensors use a colour code to indicate whether a parking space is free, occupied or of a certain class, such as blue for users with disabilities, pink for families and green for electric vehicles. Once parked, vehicles benefit from the security of video surveillance of each space provided by the SC Indoor parking guidance system. License plate recognition is also applied to each of the parking spaces.

To help users find their parked cars when they return to the parking facility, kiosks can be installed, which can locate a vehicle based on its license plate number. Users can also be provided with an on-screen reminder of their vehicle’s location when they are paying for their stay.

Blue

The light colour that could be used to indicate a space for users with disabilities in Quercus parking systems (colours are fully userVision and control customisable)The full integration of parking management software provides operators with global vision and control. It enables them to monitor all vehicle movements inside the parking facility and to make decisive decisions according to business interests and opportunities. To make integration easier, Quercus Technologies’ BirdWatch platform has an application programming interface (API) that makes it compatible with any other parking system. This system can also detect incidents that affect the normal operation of a parking facility. Detected incidents provide the operator with all the necessary data to make an informed decision. Quercus Technologies aims to expand integration options, facilitate compatibility, and optimize useability. Its parking software platform includes recurring updates and constant software enhancements. Every parking facility is different; owners will have different needs depending on their unique characteristics. No matter which parking solution you choose, what matters most is getting the highest performance from the facility, bringing more to the user experience and, as a result, enjoying greater financial yields. ■